Writing Contests 2025: Cash Prizes, Free Entries, and More!

February 2025

February 2025 features a range of poetry contests, including opportunities for both established and emerging poets and even a contest specifically for high school students in Michigan. There are also significant awards for book-length poetry manuscripts and various genres.

Poetry contests 2025

Erskine J. Poetry Prize (Smartish Pace)

The Erskine J. Poetry Prize is an annual contest hosted by Smartish Pace. This competition welcomes submissions from all poets, with a chance for publication even if your work doesn’t win the top prize. All poems entered are automatically considered for inclusion in a forthcoming issue of the journal, making it a valuable opportunity for exposure.
Word count: 3 poems per entry
Prizes: $200 (first place). The top three poets and finalists (usually about 10) are published
Entry fee: $10 
Closing date: 1 February 2025

Michael Waters Poetry Prize (University of Southern Indiana)

The Michael Waters Poetry Prize is a prestigious award given annually for a full-length poetry collection. This contest, judged by a renowned poet (Monica Youn in 2025), offers a significant cash prize and publication by SIR Press. It’s a major opportunity for poets seeking to publish their first or subsequent book.
Word count: Book-length collection (not specified)
Prizes: $6,000 and publication by SIR Press
Entry fee: $35 (50% discount for currently enrolled graduate students)
Closing date: 3 February 2025

Donald Hall Prize for Poetry

The Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, part of the AWP Award Series, seeks outstanding book-length poetry manuscripts. This prize, judged by a distinguished poet (Honorée Fanonne Jeffers in 2025), offers a substantial cash award and publication with the University of Pittsburgh Press. It’s a significant opportunity for poets to gain recognition and reach a wider audience.
Word count: 48 pages minimum
Prizes: $5,500 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press
Entry fee: $30 for non-members, $20 for AWP members
Closing date: 28 February 2025

Short story writing contests 2025

The Short(er) Fiction Prize (American Short Fiction)

American Short Fiction magazine presents The Short(er) Fiction Prize, a contest focused on very short stories. Judged by Tony Tulathimutte in 2025, the prize seeks exceptional fiction under 1,500 words. The winner receives a cash prize and publication, and all entries are considered for publication.
Word count: 1,500 words or fewer. Up to two stories can be included per entry.
Prizes: $1,000 and publication in American Short Fiction.
Entry fee: $18
Closing date: 1 February 2025

Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award (Baen Books & National Space Society)

The Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award is a unique contest focused on science fiction stories about manned space exploration. Co-sponsored by Baen Books and the National Space Society, the contest honors the memory of Jim Baen and celebrates the role of science fiction in inspiring real-world scientific advancement. The winning story is featured on the Baen Books website.
Word count: No more than 8,000 words.
Prizes: Publication on Baen Books website, payment at professional rates (.08/word), engraved award, free entry to the 2025 International Space Development Conference, and a year’s membership in the National Space Society. 
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 1 February 2025

$1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest (BlueFire)

The $1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest, sponsored by The Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation, challenges young writers in grades 6-12 to craft a story in exactly 1,000 words. This unique constraint encourages precision and creativity. There are two grand prizes awarded, one for grades 6-8 and another for grades 9-12.
Word count: Exactly 1,000 words (excluding title).
Prizes: $1,000, $100 prizes, $50 
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 1 February 2025

Essay contest 2025

Global Essay Competition (St. Gallen Symposium)

The St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition is a free essay writing contest in 2025 that invites graduate and postgraduate students to share their perspectives on a pressing global issue. The competition offers a unique opportunity: the top 100 entrants are invited to attend the St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland, an important forum for cross-generational dialogue. 
Word count: Maximum 2,100 words (excluding abstract, bibliography, and footnotes).
Prizes: Top 100 entrants attend the St. Gallen Symposium (all expenses paid). Top three essays split a CHF 20,000 prize
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 1 February 2025
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate program

Book writing contests 2025

3 Mile Harbor Press Book Award

3 Mile Harbor Press is currently accepting submissions for their 8th Annual Book Award. The award is for book-length poetry collections. The winner will receive prize money and publication.
Word count: 48-88 pages
Prizes: $500, the publication of their book as a perfect-bound edition, and 25 author copies.
Entry Fee: $40
Closing Date: 4 February 2025

Haiku Society of America Merit Book Awards (HSA)

The Haiku Society of America’s Merit Book Awards recognize outstanding haiku books published in English. This annual award considers various categories, including individual collections, anthologies, translations, and critical studies. The winning books are added to the HSA Archives at the American Haiku Archives. Two copies of the books published in 2024 must be submitted.
Word count: At least 50 percent of the book must be haiku, senryu, haibun, or prose about these subjects
Prizes: $250, $200, $150
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 15 February 2025 

James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel

The James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, offered through the AWP Award Series, recognizes outstanding book-length works of fiction. This prestigious prize includes a significant cash award and publication by the University of Nebraska Press. The 2025 judge is R.O. Kwon.
Word count: at least 60,000 and no more than 110,000 words
Prizes: $5,500 and publication by the University of Nebraska Press
Entry fee: $30 for non-members, $20 for AWP members
Closing date: 28 February 2025

Mixed writing contests 2025

The Mike Resnick Memorial Award (Arc Manor)

The Mike Resnick Memorial Award, presented by Galaxy’s Edge and Dragon Con, celebrates new science fiction authors. This award honors the legacy of Mike Resnick, who was known for mentoring emerging writers. The award specifically seeks science fiction short stories, excluding other speculative fiction genres.
Word count: Up to 7,499 words (short story).
Prizes: Trophy, $250, and publication on the Baen Books website, $100, $50
Entry fee: None
Closing date: 1 February 2025

Short Prose Competition for Emerging Writers (The Writers’ Union of Canada)

The Writers’ Union of Canada’s Short Prose Competition aims to support and promote new Canadian writers. This competition accepts both fiction and nonfiction submissions. The winner receives a cash prize, and the top entries are submitted to Canadian magazines for consideration.
Word count: Up to 2,500 words (fiction or nonfiction).
Prizes: $2,500 for the winner. The winner and eleven finalists’ entries are submitted to three Canadian magazines
Entry fee: $29
Closing date: 17 February 2025

March 2025

March 2025 is a busy month for writers, with a wide array of contests spanning poetry, short stories, essays, and even opportunities for novelists and mixed-genre works. There are options for writers at all levels, from emerging voices to established authors, and covering diverse themes and styles.

Poetry contests 2025

Only Poems

Only Poems runs a monthly themed contest designed to make the editorial process more transparent while creating exciting ways for poetry to shine in the world. Each month features a different theme or form, with March’s theme being “Dreams.” The winning poem receives a featured spot as Poem of the Month, complete with contributor’s and editor’s notes, plus custom artwork. Only Poems is committed to supporting poets financially and welcomes a wide range of poetic styles.
Theme for March: Dreams
Word count: One poem per poet
Prize: $33 for the winner
Entry fee: Free (tip jar and paid feedback options available)
Closing date: 7 March 2025

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an annual competition specifically for poems written for children aged 7-11. Established in 2015, this prestigious contest has previously been judged by renowned poets, including John Hegley, Chrissie Gittins, Roger McGough, Michael Morpurgo, and Michael Rosen. Previous winners have gone on to secure book deals and other opportunities in children’s literature.
Word count: No specified line limit
Prizes: €1,000 plus a week at Circle of Misse in France, €500, €250
Entry fee: €15
Closing date: 31 March 2025

Fish Poetry Prize 2025

The Fish Poetry Prize, established in 2006, has become one of the most respected international poetry competitions. Open to poets of any nationality writing in English with no restriction on theme or style, the contest has been previously judged by literary luminaries such as Brian Turner, Leanne O’Sullivan, and Jo Shapcott. The winning poems will be published in the Fish Anthology 2025 and launched during the West Cork Literary Festival.
Word count: 60 lines (title not included)
Prizes: €1,000, Fish Writing Course + €300, €300
Entry fee: €16 first entry, €11 subsequent entries
Closing date: 31 March 2025

Short story writing contests 2025

Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize

The Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize is a unique writing competition sponsored by the stage and radio series “Selected Shorts,” which celebrates the art of the short story through performances at Symphony Space in New York City. The winning story receives special recognition as it’s performed by a professional actor, broadcast on public radio nationwide, and published by Electric Literature.
Word count: 750 words or less
Prizes: $1,000
Entry fee: $25
Closing date: 7 March 2025

The Bath Short Story Award

The Bath Short Story Award is a prestigious international competition that attracts entries from writers worldwide. Now in its thirteenth year, the award has helped launch the careers of many writers, including Patrick Holloway, whose winning story from 2023 has recently been expanded into a debut novel of the same title. The competition is judged by literary professionals, with the shortlist judges for 2025 being Lucy Luck and Liv Bignold from C & W Literary Agency.
Word count: 2,200 words or under
Prizes: £1,200, £300, £100
Entry fee: £9.00
Closing date: 31 March 2025

Essay contest 2025

Lasker Foundation Essay Contest 2025

The Lasker Essay Contest engages early career scientists and clinicians from the US and around the globe in a discussion about big questions in biology and medicine. Established by the prestigious Lasker Foundation, this contest aims to build skills in communicating important medical and scientific issues to broad audiences. The winning essays are published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, providing valuable visibility for emerging researchers in the biomedical field.
Word count: 800 words
Prizes: Up to $5,000 (directed to winner’s university for educational expenses)
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 31 March 2025

Book writing contests 2025

James Jones First Novel Fellowship 2025

The James Jones First Novel Fellowship was established in 1992 to honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into modern culture exemplified by the writings of James Jones, author of the National Book Award. This 2025 novel writing contest has become a significant opportunity for emerging novelists to gain recognition for their work. 
Word count: Two-page synopsis and first 50 pages of novel-in-progress
Prizes: $12,000, $3,000, $2,000
Entry fee: $30 plus
Closing date: 15 March 2025

The International Rubery Book Award 2025

The Rubery Book Award is a prestigious international competition specifically designed for independently published authors and small presses who struggle to compete with traditionally published books. Established to recognize quality and outstanding books from the indie publishing world, the Rubery Prize aims to bring recognition to winning works and heighten authors’ profiles.
Word count: No limits. Self-published books or books published by independent presses.
Prizes: £2,000, £200
Entry fee: Varies by country
Closing date: 31 March 2025

Mixed writing contests 2025

Alex Albright Creative Nonfiction Prize 2025

The Alex Albright Creative Nonfiction Prize is an annual writing competition sponsored by the North Carolina Literary Review (NCLR) and named for its founding editor. This contest specifically seeks creative nonfiction submissions from writers with North Carolina connections, providing a platform for diverse nonfiction voices across the state.
Word count: Up to 7,500 words
Prizes: At least $250 (up to $1,000 depending on the number of pieces selected)
Entry fee: NCLR subscription required instead of fee
Closing date: 1 March 2025

Flash 405 Contest: “Anchor” Edition

Flash 405 is Exposition Review’s multi-genre flash competition that runs bimonthly during their “off” season. For February- March 2025, the theme is “Anchor.” This unique contest accepts submissions across multiple genres, all adhering to the flash format. The competition features a variable cash prize structure where the award amount increases with the number of entries, creating an incentive for wider participation.
Word count: Up to 405 words (fiction/non-fiction), up to 5 lines (poetry), up to 4 pages (stage)
Prizes: Online publication + 40% of all entry fees
Entry fee: $5 per submission
Closing date: 5 March 2025

Jabberwock Review’s Nancy D. Hargrove Editors’ Prize

The Nancy D. Hargrove Editors’ Prize is a prestigious annual contest sponsored by the Jabberwock Review literary journal from Mississippi State University. This competition offers both fiction and poetry categories, providing opportunities for writers in multiple genres. All entrants receive a one-year subscription to the journal, and the winners are featured prominently in a future issue, gaining valuable exposure in the literary community.
Word count: One short story of any length (fiction), 1-3 poems (poetry)
Prizes: $500 and publication for each winner (one in fiction, one in poetry)
Entry fee: $15 (includes journal subscription)
Closing date: 15 March 2025

April 2025

April 2025 is a thrilling month for poets and writers, with multiple prestigious contests offering opportunities to showcase creativity and win significant prizes. From humorous poetry to themes of health and medicine.

Poetry contests 2025

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

This free poem-writing contest recognizes humorous poems. This writing contest, judged by Jendi Reiter with Lauren Singer’s assistance, welcomes poets of all ages. You can submit either unpublished or previously published poems, as long as they’re written in English.
Word count: Up to 250 lines
Prizes: $2,000, $500, $250, 10 Honorable Mentions ($100 each)
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 1 April 2025

Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest

This international contest invites writers of all levels to participate. You can submit a poem on any topic, style, or format for this contest. The goal is to celebrate and highlight the creativity and skill of all participating poets and writers.
Word count: 30 lines or fewer
Prizes: $250, $500
Entry fee: $5 per poem
Closing date: 6 April 2025

Omnidawn Single Poem Broadside Contest

This contest awards $1,000 and 20 broadsides of the winning poem. Poets can submit one to five poems, with entry fees based on the number of submissions. The contest will be judged by Jennifer Hasegawa.
Word count: No specified limit
Prizes: $1,000 and 20 broadsides
Entry fee: $14 (one poem), $17 (two poems), $30 (up to five poems)
Closing date: 16 April 2025

Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prizes

Manuscripts submitted to Marsh Hawk Press poetry prize contests undergo an anonymous screening process to ensure fairness and impartiality. Each entry is carefully reviewed by at least two editors from the press before being considered for the final selection. The final judge for the contest is John Keene.
Word count: Manuscript 48–84 pages
Prizes: $1,000
Entry fee: $25 per manuscript
Closing date: 30 April 2025

2025 Peseroff Prize in Poetry

The Peseroff Prize was established to honor poet Joyce Peseroff, recognizing her significant contributions to poetry. The competition welcomes submissions of unpublished poems in any style or form, with no restrictions on theme or subject matter. All entries will be considered for publication, offering poets an opportunity to share their work with a wider audience.
Word count: Up to 3 poems
Prizes: $1,000 and publication in Issue 34
Entry fee: $10
Closing date: 30 April 2025

Short story writing contests 2025

Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize

This short story competition aims to highlight top short fiction and maximize exposure for winners. Partnering with 14 literary organizations, it offers cash prizes, writing retreats, and opportunities for shortlisted writers to be published in various journals, connect with agents, and showcase their work internationally. Even longlisted writers get a year’s access to The Literary Consultancy’s “Being a Writer” platform.
Word count: Up to 2,000 words
Prizes: €1,500 total, publication, and festival invitations
Entry fee: €20 for the first submission; €10 for additional entries
Closing date: 15 April 2025

Stephen Leacock Student Humorous Short Story Competition

This contest is open to Ontario teens aged 14-19, enrolled in any educational setting. Participants must submit an original funny story in English. The top three winners will be recognized at the Meet the Authors Night on June 20, 2025, during the Leacock Gala Weekend, where they’ll read their entries.
Word count: Up to 1,500 words
Prizes: $1,500, $750
Entry fee: $5 per entry
Closing date: 15 April 2025

Future Scholar Foundation Short Story Competition

This free monthly contest is open to elementary and middle school students. Writers submit stories of 350 words or fewer, based on a creative prompt. Early submissions (before the 15th) receive free personalized feedback, and winners receive Amazon gift cards.
Word count: Up to 350 words
Prizes: $60, $40, $20
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 28 April 2025

Essay contest 2025

Young Family Historians Essay Contest – American Ancestors

This contest is open to students in grades 4–12 across the U.S. and its territories. Students are asked to write an original story about an ancestor who faced and overcame a challenge. The work must be their own and not previously published or submitted elsewhere.
Word count: Grades 4–6: ~500 words
Grades 7–8: ~750 words
Grades 9–12: ~1,000 words
Prizes: $500, $250
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 1 April 2025

ABMF 2025 Past is Prologue Essay Contest

The American Battle Monuments Foundation (ABMF) invites students in three age groups (11–12, 13–15, and 16–18) to write original essays about historical events tied to American military cemeteries or monuments overseas. Participants explore significant moments in history and their relevance today. The students can write an essay on one of the two topics: “The WWII Battle of Midway, June 4–7, 1942” or “A Day in the Life on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor.”
Word Count: Ages 11–12: 800–1,000 words
Ages 13–15: 1,200–1,500 words
Ages 16–18: 1,500–1,800 words
Prizes: $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, $1,500
Entry fee: Not mentioned
Closing date: 27 April 2025

WOW! Women on Writing Quarterly Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest

This 2025 writing contest aims to encourage creative nonfiction writing by offering rewarding recognition to participants worldwide, regardless of age. Entries must be true stories written in English but can be told in any creative style, including personal, lyric, hybrid, or other essay forms.
Word count: 200–1,000 words
Prizes: $500, $300, $200, $25 Amazon Gift Card, and publication
Entry fee: $12 ($25 with critique option)
Closing date: 30 April 2025

Book writing contests 2025

WriteMentor 2025 Novel and Picture Book Awards

The Awards are open to global entries in three categories: Picture Books, Children’s books, and Adult fiction. Winners in each category will be chosen by three agents from DHA, a top literary agency, and will receive a cash prize, a 45-minute virtual meeting with the judging agent, and a free one-year membership to WriteMentor’s Hub platform.
Word count: First 3,000 words and a one-page synopsis.
Prizes: £500
Entry fee: £15
Closing date: 1 April 2025

Chief Minister’s Northern Territory History Book Award

This award honors the most important book about Northern Territory history published in the past year. Eligible books must focus on NT history and be written in English or a First Nations language of the region. A panel of experts, including historians and academics, judges the entries, and the winner is revealed at a ceremony held at the NT Library.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: $1,000
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 7 April 2025

Toronto Book Awards

Submissions should have some clear connection to Toronto, like the story’s setting, themes, or subjects, but participants don’t need to live in Toronto to participate. Both fiction and non-fiction books for adults or children are welcome, as long as they capture the essence of the city. Ebooks and digital formats are also accepted.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: $10,000, $1,000
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 30 April 2025

Whistler Independent Book Awards

These awards celebrate outstanding Canadian self-published books in fiction, non-fiction, and children’s categories, with three finalists per category and winners announced at the Whistler Writers Festival. Sponsored by The Writers’ Union of Canada, the awards are open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have covered all production costs. Only physical books are eligible—eBooks do not qualify.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: Additional publicity and membership benefits, Certificates, stickers, and inclusion in the Whistler Writers Festival.
Entry fee: $135 plus GST
Closing date: 30 April 2025

Adventure Writers Competition

The Adventure Writers Competition invites writers to submit original, unpublished adventure stories in English. Entries must be family-friendly, focus on adventure (exploration, survival, quests, etc.), and avoid excessive violence or mature themes. Judges evaluate based on creativity, storytelling, and adherence to the adventure genre.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: $1,000 and other promotional opportunities.
Entry Fee: $35
Closing date: 30 April 2025

Mixed writing contests 2025

New Ohio Review Contests

The New Ohio Review hosts an annual writing contest with poetry, short stories, and essays in fiction and non-fiction categories. Submissions must be unpublished and original. Winners in each genre receive $1,500 and publication, while all entries are considered for standard publication.
Word count: Up to 7,500 words or up to three poems.
Prizes: $1,500 and publication
Entry Fee: $22
Closing date: 15 April 2025

Perkoff Prize – The Missouri Review

This tri-genre contest explores themes of health, wellness, and medicine in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. You can submit multiple pieces at once, but they must be original and related to health or medicine. The submissions must be unpublished pieces. All entries have a chance to be published in print or online.
Word count: Up to 8,500 words or up to 10 pages of poetry
Prizes: $1,000 and publication in The Missouri Review for the best entry in each genre
Entry Fee: $15 USD per entry
Closing date: 15 April 2025

Alberta Champions Student Contest

The 16th annual contest encourages Alberta students in grades 4-9 to learn about and celebrate the province’s pioneers, innovators, and Indigenous leaders. They can create a multimedia project—such as a story, essay, poem, video, or artwork—that highlights their chosen “champion.” Open to all Alberta schools, the contest lets students showcase their creativity while honoring influential Albertans.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: $500 gift card, $350 gift card, $200 gift card, and certificates of recognition
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: 17 April 2025

Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest

The Tadpole Writing Contest 2025 challenges writers to create a complete story or poem in exactly 100 words. There’s no theme restriction—just creativity! Submissions can be fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. All entries must be original, unpublished, and in English. Word count is strict—entries over or under 100 words are disqualified.
Word count: 100 words or fewer (including the title)
Prizes: $2,000, Publishing & Marketing Package, Manuscript Assessment Package, Editing Package, Writing Coaching Package, $100
Entry Fee: $15 USD per entry
Closing date: 30 April 2025

May 2025

Poetry contests 2025

Poetry International Prize 2025

Poetry International offers a $1,000 prize and publication for an unpublished poem each year. Submissions should be clear and in a standard font—no fancy formatting or images. The editors will review all entries, and a guest judge will pick the winners and finalists from a shortlist.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: $1,000 and publication in Poetry International
Entry Fee: $15 for up to 3 poems; $3 for each additional poem
Closing date: 1 May 2025

Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize

This competition is for poets writing in English who haven’t published a full book of poems. Submissions must be anonymous, with no identifying details in the manuscript. The judge, Pádraig Ó Tuama, will select a winner, and both will give a joint reading at Kent State University.
Word count: Submit a manuscript of 50–70 pages
Prizes: $2,500 and publication of the manuscript by Kent State University Press
Entry Fee: $25
Closing date: 1 May 2025

Atlanta Review Poetry Contest 2025

The Atlanta Review welcomes diverse poetry submissions. The contest requires entries to be submitted via Submittable. All poems are read anonymously, so avoid including your name or address. Additionally, AI-generated poems are not accepted.
Word count: Up to 5 unpublished poems (10 pages max)
Prizes: $1,000 and publication in Atlanta Review
Entry Fee: $16 for up to 5 poems
Closing date: 1 May 2025

Goldsmith Festival Poetry Competition

The rules of this poetry contest state that poems must be original, written in English, and not previously published. All entries will be judged anonymously. The winner will get a chance to recite their poem at the “Poetry at Pallas” event.
Word count: Maximum 70 lines
Prizes: €600, €250, €150
Entry Fee: €10 per entry (up to 3 poems)
Closing date: 4 May 2025

James Laughlin Award

The James Laughlin Award honors a poet’s second book set to be published in the coming year. The winner gets $5,000, a free weeklong stay at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach. The winner’s book is sent to around 1,000 members of the Academy of American Poets.
Word count: 48 to 100 pages
Prizes: $5,000
Entry Fee: Free
Closing date: 15 May 2025

Wingword Poetry Competition

This Indian writing competition awards and publishes emerging poets with little to no recognition, open only to Indian citizens and people of Indian origin aged 15 and above. Poems can be submitted in English or Hindi (Main Category).
Word count: No limit
Prizes: ₹50,000 and publication of a poetry book, ₹30,000, ₹20,000, ₹10,000
Entry Fee: ₹1,000 for one poem; ₹2,000 for three poems; ₹3,000 for five poems
Closing date: 31 May 2025

Short story writing contests 2025

Ross Writing Contest – ABA Journal

For the contest, entries must be original and not published before December 1, 2024. Publicly posted content will also be considered as an entry. It will be judged based on creativity, story, legal knowledge, and character depth. The winner will be chosen by the ABA Journal Board of Editors.
Word Count: Up to 5,000 words
Prizes: $5,000
Entry Fee: Free
Closing date: 1 May 2025

F(r)iction Short Story Contest 

This contest is looking for bold, original writing that challenges norms and takes creative risks. They want compelling, emotional stories with fresh perspectives that stand out. Submissions must be human-written—no AI-generated work is allowed. The judge for the 2025 edition is Gaël Le Cornec.
Word Count: No limit
Prizes: $1,000 and consideration for publication in F(r)iction
Entry Fee: $15 per story
Closing date: 2 May 2025

Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize

This award is a prestigious Australian literary award run by the Australian Book Review. It offers a significant cash prize for the best unpublished short story, celebrating excellence in fiction. The competition is open to both Australian and international writers, with entries judged anonymously. The winner and shortlisted stories are often published in the Australian Book Review.
Word Count: 2,000–5,000 words
Prizes: $6,000, $4,000, $2,500
Entry Fee: $30
Closing date: 5 May 2025

CRAFT Short Fiction Prize

The CRAFT Literary Short Fiction Prize is open to original, unpublished short stories. Submissions are judged blindly, and all entries receive feedback. The contest welcomes diverse voices and experimental styles.
Word Count: 1,000–5,000 words
Prizes: $2,000, $500, $300, and publication
Entry Fee: $20
Closing date: 19 May 2025

Essay contest 2025

The Hon. Constance Baker Motley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Essay Competition

The Hon. Constance Baker Motley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Young Member Essay Writing Competition, hosted by the Federal Bar Association, invites young legal professionals to write an essay on promoting DEI in the legal field. The contest encourages fresh perspectives on fostering inclusivity. Winners receive recognition and a cash prize, with submissions judged on originality, clarity, and impact. It’s a great opportunity for emerging lawyers to contribute to meaningful change.
Word Count: 500 words
Prizes: $1,000 and publication in The Federal Lawyer, $500, $250, $100
Entry Fee: Free
Closing date: 9 May 2025

Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition 2025

The Cambridge Research Essay Competition invites high school students to write an essay on one of three prompts related to technology, society, or ethics. Participants must submit original work, with prizes awarded for the best entries. The competition aims to encourage critical thinking and clear writing on important modern issues.
Word Count: 2,000 words (excluding footnotes, bibliography, and references)
Prizes: $150 cash, $100 cash, $50 cash, and scholarships
Entry Fee: Free
Closing date: 10 May 2025 

Charles Darwin University Essay Award 2025

The Charles Darwin University Essay Award 2025 is hosted by the Northern Territory Library. They invite submissions of original, unpublished essays on topics related to the Northern Territory’s history, culture, or environment. Open to all Australians, with entries judged on originality, research, and writing quality.
Word Count: 3,000 words
Prizes: $1,000 and NT Writers’ Centre membership
Entry Fee: Free
Closing date: 12 May 2025 

Book writing contests 2025

Crook’s Corner Book Prize 2025

The Crook’s Corner Book Prize is a literary award for debut novels, meaning only an author’s first novel can qualify. To be eligible, the story must mainly take place in the American South, no matter where the writer lives. Self-published books are allowed as long as they have an ISBN.
Word Count: No limit
Prizes: $5,000
Entry Fee: $35
Closing date: 15 May 2025 

Bath Novel Award 2025

The Bath Novel Award is an international writing competition for unpublished and self-published novelists. It accepts entries across all genres—adult, young adult, and children’s fiction. Selected entries may get feedback from judges. The contest aims to discover talented writers and help them gain exposure in the publishing industry.
Word Count: Submit the first 5,000 words and a one-page synopsis
Prizes: £5,000
Entry Fee: £29.99 per submission
Closing date: 31 May 2025 

Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing

This is an annual award for first-time, first-generation immigrant authors. It alternates each year between fiction and non-fiction. Eligible writers must be first-gen immigrants, and submissions must be unpublished, book-length works in English. The contest aims to highlight diverse immigrant voices and experiences.
Word Count: Complete manuscript (Minimum 45,000 words)
Prizes: Publication by Restless Books in paperback, eBook, and audio formats
Entry Fee: $20
Closing date: 31 May 2025

Bridport Prize – Novel Award

The Bridport Prize is a prestigious writing competition for unpublished novels. Open to writers worldwide, it offers a £1,000 top prize, mentorship from The Literary Consultancy, and potential recognition by literary agents. Judges look for compelling storytelling, strong voice, and originality. It’s a great opportunity for emerging authors to gain exposure in the competitive book publishing industry.
Word Count: 20,000 and 70,000 words
Prizes: £1,500 and mentoring from a literary agent, £750
Entry Fee: £30 per submission
Closing date: 31 May 2025

Mixed writing contests 2025

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

This contest accepts both short fiction (stories) and nonfiction (essays) on any theme, with no limits on the number of entries per person. Submissions can be previously published or unpublished, and writers of all ages are welcome. The final judge is Mina Manchester, with assistance from Sarah Halper.
Word count: 6,000 words maximum
Prizes: $3,500, $500
Entry Fee: $25 per submission
Closing date: 1 May 2025

Minds Shine Bright Places Writing Competition

The Mind’s Shine Bright writing competition invites writers of all ages to showcase their creativity through poetry, short stories, and essays. With multiple age categories and themes, it offers cash prizes, certificates, and publication opportunities for winners. Submissions are judged on originality, expression, and impact, encouraging participants to share their unique voices.
Word count: Up to 5,000 words (short stories), up to 1,000 words (flash fiction)
Prizes: 1,500 AUD, 500 AUD, 250 AUD, 100–200 AUD
Entry Fee: 15 AUD
Closing date: 31 May 2025

Yeovil Literary Prize

The Yeovil Literary Prize is an annual writing competition open to unpublished and self-published authors, offering cash prizes in categories like novels, short stories, and poetry. It aims to support emerging writers, with past winners achieving publishing deals. Entries are judged anonymously.
Word count: Max. 10,000 words (novel), 2,000 words (short story), max. 40 lines (poetry)
Prizes: £1,350, £625, £450, £275, £250, £150
Entry Fee: £18.50 (novel), £10.50 (short story), £8.00 (poetry)
Closing date: 31 May 2025

Writing contests in 2025 offer incredible opportunities to showcase your talent, win prizes, and even kickstart your publishing journey. Pick one (or a few!) contest from our list and start polishing your best work. 

If contests aren’t your only goal and you’re looking to take full control of your writing career, consider self-publishing! PaperTrue’s editing and proofreading services make it easy with professional editing and formatting—helping you turn your manuscript into a successful contest submission!